Neal Ardley leaves AFC Wimbledon

This morning, League One club AFC Wimbledon have announced that manager Neal Ardley has left the club by mutual consent after more than six years at the helm.

Friday night’s FA Cup victory over non-league Haringey Borough proved to be the last for Ardley, who mentioned in the build up to that game that losing would probably get him the sack anyway.

The Dons are just above lowly Bradford City in League One, with three victories all season, however they have progressed to the second round of the FA Cup and the last-32 of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Ardley joined the club in October 2012 and kept AFC Wimbledon up against the odds, securing a 16th place finish and football league status for another year.

He oversaw perhaps the greatest hour in the clubs history when he managed the Wombles to a 2-0 play-off final victory over Plymouth Argyle, and in-turn, promotion to the third tier for the first time since reforming.

He will go down as a Wimbledon legend. He made 245 league appearances over 11 years for Wimbledon FC, and managed 251 games for AFC Wimbledon, leaving the club as it’s longest serving manager ever.

Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said “Neal has been a credit to the club in everything he has done. He is a clear thinker, a superb man-manager and a fine coach”.

Ardley’s assistant, former England under-21 international Neil Cox also leaves the club. Simon Massey will take temporary charge of the club.

His first game in charge will be at the Keepmoat Stadium, as AFC Wimbledon face Doncaster Rovers, who themselves have lost their last three games.